Robert Griffin III's Return Has No Timetable

The return of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who suffered a dislocated left ankle against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, remains uncertain. However, he made an extended pre-game sideline appearance prior to the Monday Night Football game against the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 6.

ESPN Washington Redskins reporter John Keim wrote about the development in his Oct. 7 blog:

"Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III isn't ready to return to the practice field and coach Jay Gruden isn't sure when that will actually happen.

"Griffin is still recovering from a dislocated left ankle suffered in Week 2 against (the) Jacksonville (Jaguars). There was no initial timetable placed on his return, though speculation centered around eight weeks. All Gruden would say is that knowing Griffin he would try to return as soon as possible.

"Griffin stretched with the team Saturday and an NFL Network report Sunday stated his goal was to return for the Oct. 27 game at Dallas. But if that's the case, then Griffin would need to be back to practice probably by next week to give him enough time to shake off rust and prepare.

"'We'll get him out there when the time is right,' Gruden said. 'I don't envision that anytime soon.'

"Gruden said Griffin's increased work load, for now, will come in the trainers' room with some running or treadmill work."

Griffin III was seen on the sidelines during pre-game warmups prior to the Monday Night Football game against the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 6, per The Washington Post's Mike Jones:

"Robert Griffin III will not return to action for several weeks, and in actuality, team officials and medical personnel do not yet know when he will make his comeback from a dislocated left ankle. But the quarterback made an appearance on the sidelines during Monday night's pregame warmups and even threw a series of passes.

"Roughly 45 minutes before kickoff at FedEx Field, Griffin strode out of the tunnel and on to the home sideline.

"The quarterback didn't appear to limp as he wore cleats both on his right and injured left foot. Griffin looked as if he was ready to go through his pregame warmup routine, decked out in black tights underneath, burgundy team-issued shorts, a white compression shirt that showed off his physique, a pink compression sleeve on his left arm and a white glove on his left hand, and a pink towel tucked in his waistband.

"Griffin threw a series of passes to injured tight end Jordan Reed, who wore a charcoal sweat suit.

"Griffin didn't light drop-backs before each pass. He then stood at the 40-yard line and watched Kirk Cousins and the rest of his teammates run through the final stages of their pregame play script. He also joined them during their final huddle before they all retreated to the locker room one final time with 19 minutes left before kickoff.

"When the Redskins trotted out for pregame introductions, Griffin strolled onto the sideline in a charcoal sweat suit.

"Griffin hadn't made an appearance during the Week 4 pregame segment. And he didn't travel to the Philadelphia game in Week 3 -- the game that immediately followed the Week 2 contest in which Griffin dislocated his ankle.

"Monday marked the second appearance of the week for Griffin. On Saturday, he joined his teammates for their pre-practice stretching routine, but didn't take part in any drills."

The 24-year-old Griffin has thrown for 6,708 yards, 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions on a 91.8 passer rating in 30 regular-season games with the Redskins through Oct. 7, per ESPN stats.